By ABDULLAH 
The New York Yankees and their fans are holding their breath as Aaron Judge, the team’s captain and MVP front-runner, is sidelined with a right elbow issue. The star outfielder was pulled from Saturday’s lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies after struggling to throw from right field in the previous night’s game.
Concerns about Judge’s health first surfaced during the Yankees’ road series in Toronto, where he appeared to wince in discomfort after a routine throw. He served as designated hitter on Wednesday, took an off-day Thursday, and returned to right field on Friday—only to report worsening elbow pain.
“He couldn’t really throw from the outfield last night,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, confirming that Judge underwent imaging on Saturday, July 26, to determine the severity of the issue.
Despite the setback, Judge is in the midst of a historic MVP-caliber season:
- Batting Average: .342
- Home Runs: 37
- RBI: 85
- OPS: 1.160
- Games Played: 103
He currently leads the American League in batting average and slugging percentage, placing him in the running for a rare Triple Crown and a third AL MVP award in four seasons.
The Yankees have not yet confirmed the diagnosis, but Manager Boone acknowledged the situation is being closely evaluated by team physicians, including Dr. Christopher Ahmad.
“It’s an elbow issue. We’ll wait on the imaging results before making any further decisions,” Boone told reporters at Yankee Stadium. He also noted they’re being cautious: “It’s more about throwing than swinging. He’s looked fine at the plate.”
Boone declined to speculate whether the injury involves Judge’s UCL (ulnar collateral ligament), but admitted it’s “obviously a concern.”
If Aaron Judge is forced to sit out, the Yankees may have to rely on:
- Jasson Dominguez, Trent Grisham, or Cody Bellinger for outfield depth
- A possible promotion of top prospect Spencer Jones
Jones, 24, has been on fire since his Triple-A promotion last month, hitting .400 with 13 home runs in just 19 games. However, he’s also battling back spasms and was scratched from Friday’s game with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, making his status uncertain.
“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Scranton manager Shelley Duncan. “He’s the most talented player I’ve ever coached.”
After holding a 7-game AL East lead in late May, the Yankees have slumped, now trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by 5.5 games. Their record has dipped to 56-47, and they’ve gone 14-22 over their last 36 games.
Losing Judge—even short-term—could severely impact their playoff hopes, especially with the July 31 trade deadline approaching.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 23, 2025 | Judge shows elbow discomfort in Toronto |
| July 24, 2025 | Off-day for recovery |
| July 25, 2025 | Plays right field vs Phillies, reports pain |
| July 26, 2025 | Pulled from lineup, undergoes elbow imaging |
Aaron Judge’s elbow injury has created an air of uncertainty around the Yankees’ playoff hopes and trade strategy. While imaging results are pending, fans and analysts alike are hoping for good news regarding one of the most dominant players in Major League Baseball.
Stay tuned Home for updates as the Yankees await medical clarity on their captain’s status.